The Bachelor of Arts in Geography

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

GEOG 390 is an approved GE Writing Intensive substitution.

General Education Foundation Courses and Pathways Suggested for Geography Majors:

The following General Education foundation courses are recommended by the department to support the student in either of the options for the Geography major:

Critical Thinking: GEOS 104 or PHIL 102

Quantitative Reasoning: MATH 105, MATH 118, or MATH 120

Life Sciences: BIOL 152, NSCI 102, or PSSC 101

The following General Education Pathways are recommended as complimentary to either of the options for the Geography major:

Diversity Studies

Food Studies

Global Development Studies

International Studies

Science, Technology and Values

Sustainability Studies

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

Literacy Requirement:

See Mathematics and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog. Writing proficiency in the major is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of a course in your major which has been designated as the Writing Proficiency (WP) course for the semester in which you take the course. Students who earn below a C- are required to repeat the course and earn a C- or higher to receive WP credit. See the Class Schedule for the designated WP courses for each semester. You must pass ENGL 130I or JOUR 130I (or equivalent) with a C- or higher before you may register for a WP course.

Course Requirements for the Major: 45 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Major Core Program: 21 units

Prerequisites: High school biology, chemistry, or physics is recommended.

This course is a survey of the basic processes that determine flows of energy through the atmosphere and examines the subsequent interactions among water, landforms, soil, and vegetation that create and modify the surface of the earth. Students develop a recognition of landscape patterns, as well as an understanding of the physical, chemical, and biological principles and functions that create those patterns, in order to understand the natural environment in which we live and the role of humans affecting that environment. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course.
(003857)

Survey of human populations and activities, with an emphasis upon how social, economic, political, and religious institutions influence interrelationships with the physical environment. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course.
(003859)

This course provides an introduction to topics and technology in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The course will combine a conceptual discussion of topics with practical exercises. Both the theory and practice of GIS analysis will be presented. 3 hours lecture.
(021439)

Prerequisite: ENGL 130 or JOUR 130 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or higher.

The course introduces students to topics and analyses in the geographical tradition; examines and evaluates library, public and Internet resource materials pertinent to geographical research; and prepares students for independent geographical scholarly research. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement course; a grade of C- or better certifies writing proficiency for majors.
(020989)

This course is an intermediate examination of concepts, technical issues, and emerging developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and science. Topics include data structures, spatial database design and implementation, UML modeling, customized geoprocessing, and WebGIS mapping. Focus on all available GIS data models but with particular focus on object-oriented vector data models and relational databases. Provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. 3 hours lecture.
(021425)

Analysis of various field techniques and tools employed by geographers, and supervised application of field techniques in geography. Written and oral presentation of Field Survey. 6 hours activity.
(003939)

Note: Techniques courses completed for the Geography Core cannot be double counted toward the techniques courses taken in the geography advising options.

Major Option Course Requirements: 24 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements. Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

The Option in Human Geography and Planning: 24 units

A systematic survey of human economic activities. Analysis of resource exploitation and use, including agriculture, extractive activities, industry, commerce, and service functions. Recommended for business and liberal arts majors. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course.
(003871)

Study of the theory and practice of planning. Analysis of planning processes, elements of the comprehensive plan, zoning, environmental impact of development, regional policies, and growth. Includes investigation of a practical planning problem. 3 hours lecture.
(003884)

Examines the location, evolution, shape, spatial patterns, and classification of cities in the United States and elsewhere. Studies the evolution of urban systems and the spatial organization of neighborhoods, central business districts, and suburbs. Explores environmental, economic, and social issues associated with urbanization, and the policies used to address them. Examines the roles of class, race, ethnic diversity, gender, and consumption in shaping the experience of urban life. 3 hours lecture.
(021163)

Analysis of the special character of North American landscapes. Examination of the historical evolution of contemporary landscapes through maps, reading, literature, field observations, and class discussion. Emphasis on comparison of regional patterns and the shaping of American landscapes by cultural and economic factors. 3 hours discussion.
(003890)

Management of socio-economic and cultural spatial resources in the human-built environment. Effective programs and the institutional frameworks in which they occur. An analysis of the complex interactions between institutions, socio-economic structure, and cultural landscape in the management and planning process. Includes the use of maps and other graphic material, field surveys, as well as reading, lecture, and discussion. Community service work with the City of Chico and other similar municipal agencies or civil sector organizations provide a focus for class projects and discussion. 3 hours lecture.
(021451)

This course is an intermediate examination of concepts, technical issues, and emerging developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and science. Topics include data structures, spatial database design and implementation, UML modeling, customized geoprocessing, and WebGIS mapping. Focus on all available GIS data models but with particular focus on object-oriented vector data models and relational databases. Provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. 3 hours lecture.
(021425)

A regional study of our nation in terms of the physical earth and its human use. The course includes emphasis on issues and problems related to resources, environmental concerns, and settlement patterns. Cultural and regional differences in human-environmental relationships are compared and contrasted. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved US Diversity course.
(003902)

Study of the physical environment, human settlement, development, and modern problems of the nations of Latin America. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course.
(021143)

Examination of economic, social, demographic, and political bases for sustainable community and regional development and planning. Introduces the theory, evolution and practice of planning for sustainable communities and regions through examination of environmental, economic, and equity issues. 3 hours discussion.
(003947)

This course introduces the theory and application of environmental and conservation planning. It critically examines the activities of environmental planning and the analytical approaches that can be used to direct resources toward conservation that yields the greatest return on biodiversity protection and ecosystem services sustainability. Students gain knowledge of the theories, techniques through practical experiences in planning activities, and institutional legalities of environmental and conservation planning. Using sustainability as a framework, this course presents the underlying concepts of sustainable land-use planning to best manage for abiotic and biotic resources. Focus is on the regional, local, and landscape scales. 3 hours lecture.
(020744)

A regional and topical description of North America at selected time periods, including cultural groups, land tenure systems, settlement patterns, agriculture, exploration and mapping, resource use, urbanization, population and migrations, and present-day results. 3 hours discussion.
(000412)

This seminar is required of students minoring in Environmental Studies and is to be taken as the culminating course in the minor. The course integrates the cross-disciplinary elements of the minor, emphasizing the interplay among the scientific, social, legal, historical, and humanistic elements of the study of the environment. 3 hours seminar.
(009080)

Biogeography and landscape ecology are keys for evaluating plant and animal distributions at local to global spatial scales. This course seeks to understand the physical and biological processes that determine these patterns through time, as well as help design management strategies for conserving our planet's biological diversity, and thus ecosystem services. The course emphasizes nature and impact of continuity and patchiness of species distributions and movement, and material flow on the structure and dynamics of wildland, agrarian, and urbanized landscapes. This is thus a highly integrative field of inquiry, pulling on concepts, theories and data from general ecology, evolutionary biology, geology, and physical and human geography. Quantitative methods and field trips consider the biogeography of plants and animals in the local landscapes. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity.
(003929)

Pyrogeography is a comprehensive study of the physical and cultural parameters of fire. Topics covered include the spacial and temporal relationships of fire as an integral landscape process with an emphasis on the maintenance of North American ecosystems; the interpretation of the cultural uses of fire by indigenous communities as well as the historic and contemporary implications of fire management and policies; and the ecological implications of fire on biotic and abiotic systems. 3 hours discussion.
(020415)

Note: Any 3 unit upper-division course from outside the department may be selected with advisor approval.

This course brings together the fields of climatology, biogeography, and geomorphology to study earth systems science as an integrative discipline of spatially dependent earth processes with implications for human systems. Major mechanisms and processes which produce climate change are covered with an examination of the impacts of past climate change on human societies. Observations and modeling of selected earth system components at various spatial scales of analysis facilitate an understanding of spatial modeling from simple to complex systems. 3 hours lecture.
(015873)

Biogeography and landscape ecology are keys for evaluating plant and animal distributions at local to global spatial scales. This course seeks to understand the physical and biological processes that determine these patterns through time, as well as help design management strategies for conserving our planet's biological diversity, and thus ecosystem services. The course emphasizes nature and impact of continuity and patchiness of species distributions and movement, and material flow on the structure and dynamics of wildland, agrarian, and urbanized landscapes. This is thus a highly integrative field of inquiry, pulling on concepts, theories and data from general ecology, evolutionary biology, geology, and physical and human geography. Quantitative methods and field trips consider the biogeography of plants and animals in the local landscapes. 2 hours lecture, 2 hours activity.
(003929)

Pyrogeography is a comprehensive study of the physical and cultural parameters of fire. Topics covered include the spacial and temporal relationships of fire as an integral landscape process with an emphasis on the maintenance of North American ecosystems; the interpretation of the cultural uses of fire by indigenous communities as well as the historic and contemporary implications of fire management and policies; and the ecological implications of fire on biotic and abiotic systems. 3 hours discussion.
(020415)

An analysis of the complex interactions between humans, plants, and animals in the restoration process. Includes the use of maps and other graphic material as well as reading, lecture, and discussion. Emphasis on how human activities can affect the distribution and abundance of various plant and animal species in both negative and positive ways. Restoration work on the Butte Creek Ecological Reserves and other similar sites provide a focus for class projects and discussion. 3 hours lecture.
(003930)

This course is an intermediate examination of concepts, technical issues, and emerging developments in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and science. Topics include data structures, spatial database design and implementation, UML modeling, customized geoprocessing, and WebGIS mapping. Focus on all available GIS data models but with particular focus on object-oriented vector data models and relational databases. Provides students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques in a hands-on manner. 3 hours lecture.
(021425)

Analysis of various field techniques and tools employed by geographers, and supervised application of field techniques in geography. Written and oral presentation of Field Survey. 6 hours activity.
(003939)

Examination of economic, social, demographic, and political bases for sustainable community and regional development and planning. Introduces the theory, evolution and practice of planning for sustainable communities and regions through examination of environmental, economic, and equity issues. 3 hours discussion.
(003947)

This course introduces the theory and application of environmental and conservation planning. It critically examines the activities of environmental planning and the analytical approaches that can be used to direct resources toward conservation that yields the greatest return on biodiversity protection and ecosystem services sustainability. Students gain knowledge of the theories, techniques through practical experiences in planning activities, and institutional legalities of environmental and conservation planning. Using sustainability as a framework, this course presents the underlying concepts of sustainable land-use planning to best manage for abiotic and biotic resources. Focus is on the regional, local, and landscape scales. 3 hours lecture.
(020744)

This seminar is required of students minoring in Environmental Studies and is to be taken as the culminating course in the minor. The course integrates the cross-disciplinary elements of the minor, emphasizing the interplay among the scientific, social, legal, historical, and humanistic elements of the study of the environment. 3 hours seminar.
(009080)

A systematic survey of human economic activities. Analysis of resource exploitation and use, including agriculture, extractive activities, industry, commerce, and service functions. Recommended for business and liberal arts majors. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course.
(003871)

Study of the theory and practice of planning. Analysis of planning processes, elements of the comprehensive plan, zoning, environmental impact of development, regional policies, and growth. Includes investigation of a practical planning problem. 3 hours lecture.
(003884)

Examines the location, evolution, shape, spatial patterns, and classification of cities in the United States and elsewhere. Studies the evolution of urban systems and the spatial organization of neighborhoods, central business districts, and suburbs. Explores environmental, economic, and social issues associated with urbanization, and the policies used to address them. Examines the roles of class, race, ethnic diversity, gender, and consumption in shaping the experience of urban life. 3 hours lecture.
(021163)

Analysis of the special character of North American landscapes. Examination of the historical evolution of contemporary landscapes through maps, reading, literature, field observations, and class discussion. Emphasis on comparison of regional patterns and the shaping of American landscapes by cultural and economic factors. 3 hours discussion.
(003890)

Note: Any 3-unit upper-division course from outside the department may be selected with advisor approval.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.

Honors in the Major:

Honors in the Major is a program of independent work in your major. It requires 6 units of honors course work completed over two semesters.

The Honors in the Major program allows you to work closely with a faculty mentor in your area of interest on an original performance or research project. This year-long collaboration allows you to work in your field at a professional level and culminates in a public presentation of your work. Students sometimes take their projects beyond the University for submission in professional journals, presentation at conferences, or academic competition. Such experience is valuable for graduate school and professional life. Your honors work will be recognized at your graduation, on your permanent transcripts, and on your diploma. It is often accompanied by letters of commendation from your mentor in the department or the department chair.

Some common features of Honors in the Major program are:

You must take 6 units of Honors in the Major course work. All 6 units are honors classes (marked by a suffix of H), and at least 3 of these units are independent study (399H, 499H, 599H) as specified by your department. You must complete each class with a minimum grade of B.

You must have completed 9 units of upper-division course work or 21 overall units in your major before you can be admitted to Honors in the Major. Check the requirements for your major carefully, as there may be specific courses that must be included in these units.

Your cumulative GPA should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

Your GPA in your major should be at least 3.5 or within the top 5% of majors in your department.

Most students apply for or are invited to participate in Honors in the Major during the second semester of their junior year. Then they complete the 6 units of course work over the two semesters of their senior year.

Your honors work culminates with a public presentation of your honors project.

While Honors in the Major is part of the Honors Program, each department administers its own program. Please contact your major department or major advisor to apply.

Geography and Economics Double Major

Students may take two geography and two economics courses from the following list. All 12 units will count toward both majors (geography courses will count toward 100-level electives in the economics major).

An analysis of the costs and benefits of environmental preservation. Systems for creating economic incentives for pollution abatement. Criteria for establishing optimum pollution abatement, including efficiency, safety, and sustainability standards. Impacts of population growth on global environmental problems. Alternative energy use patterns and their impact on energy markets and global environmental health. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course.
(002671)

This course surveys theoretical approaches and policy options to the problems of development and underdevelopment in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Agricultural transformations, industrial development, balance of payments problems, the role of foreign aid, direct foreign investment, the economic role of international institutions such as the World Bank, and other related topics are included in this course. 3 hours lecture.
(002673)

An analysis of petroleum markets and the likely trend in prices. Alternatives to petroleum and increasing dependence on OPEC, including conservation technologies, efficiency improvements in conventional energy production, and the potential for expanded use of renewable energy resources. Public utility deregulation and the impact on the efficient use of energy. 3 hours seminar.
(002695)

A systematic survey of human economic activities. Analysis of resource exploitation and use, including agriculture, extractive activities, industry, commerce, and service functions. Recommended for business and liberal arts majors. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course. This is an approved Global Cultures course.
(003871)

Geographic analysis of humanity's interaction with the environment. Examines natural and human systems, resources, population, energy, and pollution. Develops an appreciation of the beauty, balance, and complexity of natural systems and human success in attaining harmony with them. Enhances awareness and perception of each individual's role in and with the environment. 3 hours lecture. This is an approved General Education course.
(003873)

Study of the theory and practice of planning. Analysis of planning processes, elements of the comprehensive plan, zoning, environmental impact of development, regional policies, and growth. Includes investigation of a practical planning problem. 3 hours lecture.
(003884)

Examination of economic, social, demographic, and political bases for sustainable community and regional development and planning. Introduces the theory, evolution and practice of planning for sustainable communities and regions through examination of environmental, economic, and equity issues. 3 hours discussion.
(003947)

Examines the location, evolution, shape, spatial patterns, and classification of cities in the United States and elsewhere. Studies the evolution of urban systems and the spatial organization of neighborhoods, central business districts, and suburbs. Explores environmental, economic, and social issues associated with urbanization, and the policies used to address them. Examines the roles of class, race, ethnic diversity, gender, and consumption in shaping the experience of urban life. 3 hours lecture.
(021163)

Geography and History Double Major

Students may elect a geography and history double major. Up to 6 units of appropriate upper-division history courses (HIST) may be applied to the geography major. Prior approval by a department advisor and the chair is required.

University Catalog
California State University, Chico
400 West First Street
Chico, CA 95929